David's Diary: Thursday, June 12, 2003

Market Day in Lavrion

In the Mediterranean, a lot of shopping is done in street markets. These markets appear on specific days of the week, which is different for every little village. Today is market day in Lavrion and Allen and I go exploring.

Greek Orthodox Priest

The markets always feature fresh local produce. Allen and I shop for fruit and vegetables. The colour, size, and texture of all the produce is outstanding and the prices reasonable. We are one of the only tourists in the market as it is filled with locals doing their weekly shopping. Allen and I stop to stare at a Greek Orthodox Priest as he walks by in his black outfit. It's about 35C out today and we wonder how hot the well fed priest is in his black clothes.

Bolts of Material

All sorts of goods are for sale at the market. Vendors would have arrived early in the morning to set up their stalls. Allen and I wander along looking at bolts of brightly coloured cloth, plastic bins, fish, and dry goods.

Underwear Stall

There are several stalls with clothing and jewellery for sale. One stall is selling women's underwear. As Canadians, we are used to shopping in malls where clothing stores all have changing rooms to try on clothes. I wonder how women pick out the right size underwear from a roadside stall. I suppose that if this is the way you have always shopped, you know how to pick the right sizes, but it does seem strange to what we are used to.